Beautiful Savior
by Author Unknown, 1677
Translated by Joseph A. Seiss, 1823-1904

1. Beautiful Savior, King of Creation,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I’d love Thee, Truly I’d serve Thee,
Light of my soul, my Joy, my Crown.

2. Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in flowers of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer;
He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.

3. Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, Praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!

• This hymnwriter wrote words that not only praise Christ, but they also express commitment to him. Examine the words of commitment. How would you express your own commitment to Christ?
• The hymnwriter compares Christ to some specific elements of creation. Choose some different elements of creation and think how you would compare them with Christ. Do you often think about Christ this way? How would you express what Christ does for you when you feel sorrowful?
• The hymnwriter calls Christ “Lord of the nations.” Is that true? In what way might it not be true? If you thought your government would evict you from your house and cancel your citizenship, would you be willing to sing this song anyway? Read how Christians in Laos were evicted because of their faith.
• The words you read are not in the original language. The words have been translated many times, and this is only one instance. Should the government enforce the use of a single authorized translation of this hymn? Would it make sense to authorize the police to arrest people who possessed hymnals with unauthorized translations of this hymn? If these questions sound like nonsense to you, read what happens to Christians with unauthorized Bibles in Uzbekistan.